advent 2011 is well under way and that means goblins.
we made our traditional envelope pocket advent calendar, which was way more fun this year and also way more involved because now ella can cut and paste very well, she can read very well, she is well versed in the symbols of christmas, and she has developed a sense of design that is all her own. thus, the making of the advent pockets was a complex undertaking, but she loves it, we had a fantastic time (we did it while watching "scrooged"), and most importantly, it serves its purpose.
this year, the goblins are having us learn christmas carols and songs, and they are giving us longer bible passages to reflect on. but the activities they are having us do are simpler. the goblins' main goal is to see to it that unlike last year, mama is not scrambling every day to come up with materials and mama really appreciates that. ;) thus, the goblins have instituted the following craft/activity policies: one project each week has to be something to give. one project each week can make a huge mess. one project a week is something we'd already do anyway. all projects must use items that are already in the house or yard.
i'd like to take this opportunity right now to thank heaven above for the creation of pinterest, which has made advent calendar sanity possible this year.
WEEK 1 REVIEW
christmas carols: oh little town of bethlehem, away in a manger, o come all ye faithful, we wish you a merry christmas
bible passages: Isaiah 40: 3-5; Isaiah 52: 7-9; Isaiah 40: 9-11; Jeremiah 31: 31-34
activity/craft: make paper chain with names of people to pray for on each link; paint a jar to use as a star of bethlehem lantern; string popcorn and pieces of fruit to hang outside for the birds; make gourmet hot cocoa mix
each day includes a prayer written specifically for our family.
WEEK 2 PREVIEW
christmas carols: white christmas, do you hear what i hear, the first noel, angels we have heard on high, the little drummer boy, winter wonderland, over the river and thru the woods
bible passages: deuteronomy 18: 15-19; psalm 89: 1-4; isaiah 11: 1-10; Zechariah 6: 12, 13; Micah 5: 2-5; Malachi 3: 1-3; John 1: 1-8
activity/craft: draw on the windows with a sliver of soap; make caramels; make peppermint playdough; make and deliver a batch of cookies for the neighbors; make ribbon candy ornaments out of found paper; decorate and put up outdoor wreaths; make handprint craft
each day includes a prayer written specifically for our family.
the stuff on top of the mantel is an advent gift from me to ella, they are 24 individually-wrapped christmas books. she gets to choose one book each day and i will read it as many times as she asks, as often as she asks, all day long. half of them are books that she already owned, and the rest are books that i "bought" using credits i saved from trading old books at mckay used book store this past year. so far all the books she's opened are ones from her own library LOL but she doesn't mind, she is happy to have free license to snuggle any time she asks. i’ll make a separate page with a list of the books and post it later this week.
*a little self-promotion: i have written an advent book for mothers and wives, called “an everyday advent: meditations from the heart of a homemaker”, that is now available for purchase as a PDF, or for the kindle or the nook! it might not be your cup of tea but if you know someone who would enjoy it, i’d appreciate your help in sharing the links. thank you!
